Panayoti Kelaidis at iLandscape 2025
The Southwest boasts the Lion's share of America's national parks, and the burgeoning Sunbelt has seen an explosion of urban and suburbanization--which has embraced the desert look. Midwesterners love to vacation here--but why not bring some of the sunny flavor--and even the plants!--back to gardens: A wide spectrum of Southwestern plants--and those from similar climates--will thrive in the right microclimate in the Great Lakes area.

With Climate Change looming, it's likely that the Southwestern style might become more and more practical in the Midwest. Let's explore some of the great Southwestern gardens and and some Midwestern gardens where gardeners have recreated the moods of sunset mesas and beautiful buttes!